It feels like an eternity ago that Lonely The Brave burst onto the scene with their incredible early EP, âBackroadsâ. Thatâs probably because that actually was almost a decade ago, and wow has the world been through some tough times since then.
It hasnât all been smooth sailing for the band either, with the switch of vocalist in 2018 a major hurdle. Thankfully the band secured the talented Jack Bennett to fill the very big shoes of David Jakes.
The problem for the band now is that just when they would need momentum the most, the world stopped moving. The pandemic disrupted all people in all walks of life with the music industry hit very hard. Imagine then the impact on Lonely The Brave as they looked to move seamlessly into their new era.
New album, âThe Hope Listâ, was released in the midst of lockdown in January 2021 and plans to tour in support were naturally delayed. That time has belatedly arrived now and tonight they play a special hometown show at the Junction in Cambridge.
There are two support acts on tap with VLMV up first, captivating the early audience with a sonic smorgasbord of guitars, synths and vocals. Cult icon Jamie Lenman then blasts though a short set of new material which ramps up the intensity in the venue. Both acts have done a good job warming up a slightly lethargic crowd ready for the hometown heroes to arrive.
Welcomed warmly onstage Lonely The Brave instantly mix new tracks such as âKeeperâ and âDistant Lightâ with old favourites like âBlack Mireâ and âTrick of the Lightâ. This is a theme that continues throughout the evening.
Bennett as we say has had big shoes to fill vocally and he manages to do those old favourites justice tonight whilst also adding new layers both sonically and corporeally.
There is an unusual tense atmosphere in the venue tonight, which feels highlighted by this being a hometown show. Itâs only really when the likes of âThe Blue, The Greenâ, âBackroadsâ and âBlack Saucersâ appear towards the end of the show that the audience relaxes a bit.
Performance wise the venue witnesses three strong sets tonight from three acts at varying stages of their careers. The industry is in a tough spot right now, but youâd hope there is enough talent on show here that these acts can kick on from here.
Welcome everybody to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We are starting this week with the best tour announcements from the past week and we begin with a special treat for Pendulum fans.
Yes, after their secret sets at Reading & Leeds Festivals, Pendulum revealed not one but two dates at the legendary O2 Academy Brixton for March next year.
Pet Needs have just released their sophomore album, ‘Primetime Entertainment’, and this week they announced the obligatory headlining tour to accompany the release.
Support for these shows comes variously from Tundra and Bridget..
The tour finishes in their hometown Colchester on December 16th with special guest Sean McGowan plus Ecto Peach and Oxbowlake!
Speaking about the show, Johnny says: âWeâre headlining a 400-capacity venue in our hometown Colchester at Christmas. I moved here 7-8 years ago now. For local bands, if you play Colchester Arts Centre, youâve got credibility. I never thought weâd headline that venue and If we can sell it out, thatâd be incredible.â
We move our News Report now onwards to the best new releases from the past week and we start off with the return of Nickelback!
Yes the Canadians returned this week with new single, ‘San Quentin’, which you can listen to above. The track will feature on new album, ‘Get Rollin’, which will be released 31st March.
This week Black Star Riders shared the latest look at new album, ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’, which is out January 20th. You can check out new single, ‘Pay Dirt’, above.
Frontman Ricky Warwick comments: âRockânâRoll is my lover, friend, enemy, ally, religion and saviour. RockânâRoll is my life.Christian Martucci and the late Todd Youth wrote the music for this. And when I heard it, it stank with defiance and attitude. It didnât need changing, just some words to echo the power of the chords.Itâs an ode to RockânâRoll⊠But also a dig at those that donât learn their art and donât play from the heart!â
About the album Ricky adds: âI am very proud of this record, Black Star Riders’ fifth release and the first with our new and exciting relationship with Earache Records. As with all BSR albums, âWrong Side Of Paradiseâ is an anthemic statement of intent, driven by ferocious guitars and thundering drums. I can only write about my own personal experiences, my families, my friends and how I see a world that is unraveling and changing faster than we can comprehend. That being said, Iâm a firm believer in the power of positivity, something that echoes throughout this albumâ
In addition to the new record, Black Star Riders will embark on their 10th Anniversary tour, starting from 13th February 2023.
Ricky Warwick further comments: âCan you believe 2023 is 10 years of Black Star Riders? ⊠How time flies while you are having fun! We decided to do something special to commemorate this occasion. For the UK tour only, to coincide with the albumâs release, we will be bringing back the legendary Scott Gorham (guitar) and Jimmy DeGrasso (drums) for the dates to make them extra special!â
Our News Report continues with the latest single from The Cult, ‘A Cut Inside’, which you can listen to above.
The track comes from new album, ‘Under The Midnight Sun’, which is out on October 7th.
Leading to 2020, The Cult had been on a rolling cycle of releasing albums, touring, and recording. As the world shut down and everyone was forced to reprioritise the way they approached life and work. âWhen the world stopped, I had this moment to write in real time, to calculate,â says Ian Astbury.
When lockdown lifted and the group could meet to record, they teamed up with Dalgety. âI was compelled by this vision, this anomaly, this memory, of being under the midnight sun. Tom helped us bring a new musical shape and frequency to our process.â
Pixies up next in our News Report as they shared new track, ‘Dregs of the Wine’, this week, which you can listen to above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Doggerel’, which is out September 30th.
BlackFrancis says the song is about, âLiving in Los Angeles in the â90s with my then-wife, hanging out with Joey and his ex-wife, lots of trips to Las Vegas, a lot of drinking, little bit drug taking, some genuine good times.â
Flashforward to the present day. Joey Santiago was jamming at home on his guitar and the initial idea behind the song may well have been lost to the moment.
He recalls, âI guess I was in kind of a zombie state, just playing. After I stopped playing I put it down and went, âWell, that was a fucking waste of time, what a piece of shit I am.â I beat myself up a lot, but my girlfriend, unbeknownst to me, was recording me. She played it back to me and I go, âFuck! Hold on a second here! This stuff is good!ââ
Smith/Kotzen release ‘Got A Hold On Me’ live video
Smith/Kotzen – ‘Got A Hold On Me (live)’
The duo of Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen will release ‘Better Days… And Nights’ on September 16th.
This week they shared the live video for ‘Got A Hold On Me’, which you can check out above.
Adrian Smith comments, âI think everyone in the band was extremely happy with how our very first tour turned out. We were all naturally a little anxious as weâd never played live together before but once we got out there, everything fell into place really easily and we all had a tremendous amount of fun. I canât wait until we can do it again and get to play in many more places next time round.â
Richie Kotzen adds, âWe spent a lot of time discussing which of the songs from the live show to include on this CD. We wanted to capture an accurate snapshot of the special vibe we all felt on the tour and I think weâve achieved this in the songs weâve selected, and hope our fans will agree. Weâre looking forward to seeing everybody again on future tours.â
This week also saw Maximo Park share their latest single, ‘Merging Into You’, which you can check out above.
Singer Paul Smith comments on the song:
âMerging Into You’s organ sound reminds me of some of our early songs, which ended up on the flipside of our first singles. The song is a romantic look at the first, tentative moments of a relationship, enhanced by Du Blonde’s brilliant voice. We’re all fans of Beth’s music and she added a different texture to our sound, along with Faye MacCalman’s swooning sax that carries the song to its close.â
Stray From The Path share video for ‘Needful Things’
Stray From The Path – ‘Needful Things’
Stray From The Path celebrate the release of new album, ‘Euthanasia’, with the debut of the video for ‘Needful Things’.
The band will shortly play an intimate UK Tour to celebrate the album release even further.
Speaking of tour, guitarist, Tom Williams, says “We are stoked to return back to the UK and mainland Europe to do some small and intimate album release shows for our new record, ‘Euthanasia’. By the time we get there, it will be almost three years since we’ve been back. We’ve dropped ‘Guillotine’ and ‘III’ and our UK/EU people have been wanting us back ASAP, I’m glad we can get back there for them. We’re bringing with us a brand new album, two amazing up and coming bands in Vatican and Guilt Trip, and three years of too much time spent away from some of our favourite places on earth.”
As our News Report continues we look towards Wednesday 13 who this week debuted new single, ‘Insides Out’, which you can check out above.
The track comes ahead of 9th album, ‘Horrifier’, which is out October 7th.
About the track, Wednesday 13 says: âOur latest single ‘Insides Out’ is a very heavy song, so it only made sense to make a video to match the sound! Torture and violence is the main theme of this song, and we continue along the lines of the last music video with another horror movie theme here too.”
Beth Orton is another artist with an imminent album release. Her latest effort, ‘Weather Alive’ is out September 23rd, and this week she released her latest single. You can check out ‘Fractals’ above.
Orton says of the song, âThe track is a beautiful example of the nature of collaboration, where people come in as they are,â she says. âYouâre hearing the first take. I would never have been able to conjure that music without these musicians.â
Oakman have announced that their new EP, ‘SCP’, will be out September 30th. This week also saw the band share the video for the title track, which you can watch above.
âIt is finally the end of a period. We are very excited to be able to give you the last pieces of this new baby,â says lead singer, Marine, about the new EP. âThe last few months have gone by quickly and have been quite intense but it’s also a relief because we cannot wait to get our heads into what will be the next part of Oakman. We hope you enjoy this EP and we hope you can feel the sincerity of the emotions we wanted to share with you. Soon, this EP will belong to you.â
About the song, the band says, âMarine was watching a show during lockdown called “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”. The main character reminded her of a character she had played when she was doing theater. After the foundation of âSCPâ was written, she wrote the lyrics about these two characters. âSCPâ is a sarcastic and second degree track about the fear of loneliness and not being loved at all costs with a neurotic side.â
Grave Goods share the song ‘Die’ from their debut album, ‘Tuesday. Nothing Exists’, out now!
Speaking of the single, drummer Sarah Grimes said, âLois sent us the idea for DIE as a sort of electronic track, and when we were all together we worked out how to make it into a live band sound and add our own stamp to it. Whilst recording at Invada we felt that the build up towards the end of DIE needed more layers, so Lois and Phil tried out a couple of synths and settled on a sound that worked – itâs the only song that has synth.
During the last 15 minutes of our recording time Phil added extra layers by messing around with some guitar feedback – the final sound to be recorded on the album, which is kind of special when you think about it especially as DIE is the closing track of the album.â
Harpy – ‘Medicine’
Harpy is back to share her brand new single, ‘Medicine’!
âSometimes we donât want to be saved. Sometimes we want to feel the pain, to revel in the misery. We do things that are bad for us, because sometimes they feel good… so good that we go back to them again, and again, and again. Thatâs what Medicine is about.” – Harpy
Creature Cult – ‘ughly’
Creature Cult are a duo from Colchester, Essex consisting of Connar Ridd (vocals/guitar) and Jonn Downham (synths/backing vocals). The present their latest single, ‘ughly’.
Explaining the track further, Connar said, âI had to leave a job recently because I was told I didnât dress the way they wanted me to when I was dressed perfectly fine. If someone without piercings and tattoos and bleached hair would have worn the same thing I doubt there would have been an issue. Iâm bored of being made to feel like an alien for just trying to be who I am, this song is exactly about it. Itâs about paranoia to leave the f*cking house because youâre thinking about what homophobic comment someone is gunna say when youâre queuing in the corner shop. About feeling exhausted to be yourself because people try and make it hard for you to be. But there is a community for people who stick together and stand tall, a community where difference is celebrated and we are all âfreaksâ together, and this song is a f*ck you to the people who try to take that away.â
Jonn adds, âI was recently sitting at a bus stop and had a group of guys hurling the foulest homophobic comments at me simply because I was wearing makeup and dressed in a faux-fur coat. It’s both crazy and sad that there are people who still have these sorts of views towards others simply for being or looking different to what’s considered ‘normal’. It’s not okayâ
2021 has been another tough year to live through. There have been some signs of normal life, for example the return of live music, but we end it as we started with true normality a distant memory.
This year has however been a stunning year for new music releases. Yes, lockdown musicians and the odds are their creativity will take over. In Full Pelt Music’s first full year of existence we have reviewed 65 albums and the quality of those releases has been exceptional.
Last year we counted down our Top 20 albums of the year, with a special Advent Calendar countdown on our Twitter. This year we have expanded! Our 2021 countdown has taken place across all our social platforms, and has listed our Top 50 albums of the year!
With that social media countdown completed, it’s now time to compile our completed Top 50 in one place. So let’s get started!
What we said:
“there are stunning moments spread throughout the album”
Rob Zombie – ‘The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)’
What we said:
“was anybody craving a new album from The Offspring in 2021? Perhaps not, but actually in this messed up world we live in, maybe, just maybe, we needed it!”
“vitality shouldnât be mistaken for relevance and whilst the band may have peaked commercially, they remain of utmost importance to a generation of music fans”
Check out:
Rise Against – ‘Nowhere Generation’
What we said:
“anybody that had any doubts about the natural talents of this group of musicians, they should now acknowledge a new force”
The quality of this year’s releases has been truly phenomenal as our opening 30 albums attests. The competition is extremely tight for the coveted top spot and that is clear throughout the prestigious Top 20 that follows.
What we said:
“a sublime collection of upbeat, heartfelt and powerful songs that is bound to be stuck on repeat for the foreseeable future”
“a rare talent that have now reinforced their passion and ability to create great music for anybody who wants to listen but without concession on their vision”
Well there you have it! What a truly magnificent year for new music 2021 has been. What will 2022 have in store? Remember to discover the best new acts by following our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist’!
Stay tuned for our 2021 Year in Review coming very soon.
We roundup the best music news from the past week!
Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:
Welcome to another weekly News Report from Full Pelt Music. We start this week with a handful of 2022 festival line-up announcements and first up is this beauty from 2000trees Festival.
Added to the event this week were the likes of Dream State, Tigercub, Ginger Wildheart, ROAM, Never Not Nothing and WITCH FEVER.
They join the already announced IDLES, Jimmy Eat World, The Amazons, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Young Guns, Royal Republic, Lonely The Brave, Crossfaith, Vukovi, Bob Vylan, Beans On Toast, Will Varley, Press To MECO, Lauran Hibberd, Haggard Cat and so many more.
To be at the loaded event, you can grab your ticket here.
Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Press To MECO ?
Bearded Theory announce more acts for 2022 Festival
Some of the best UK Festivals are the smaller independent variety that can feature real strength and depth in their line-ups. Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering was already looking packed, but this week they’ve added even more incredible acts!
New acts include Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Hives, Yonaka, Working Men’s Club, Billy Nomates, John, Do Nothing, Bob Vylan and Little Comets!
They join Placebo, The Flaming Lips, Patti Smith, The Mission, Shame, Peter Hook & The Light, Wilko Johnson, Ferocious Dog, Lauran Hibberd, The Ninth Wave, Nova Twins and more!
Another festival revealing their 2022 line-up this week is Boardmasters. Headlining the surf and music event will be George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings of Leon!
They’ll be joined by the likes of Bastille, IDLES, Declan McKenna and Tom Grennan with hundreds more still to be announced.
British Summer Time in Hyde Park has added two more superstar names to it’s 2022 bill this week. First it was announced Adele would perform two now sold out shows. It was then announced that the legendary Eagles will also perform the event.
They join already announced headliners Pearl Jam, Elton John and Duran Duran. Tickets for the shows are here.
Stereophonics to celebrate 20th anniversary of ‘Just Enough Education to Perform’
Our News Report moves onto tour announcements now and we start with a celebration from Stereophonics. The band will be playing some intimate ‘Just Enough Education to Perform’ shows to celebrate the albums 20th anniversary.
New music now as our News Report continues. Ahead of his upcoming album, ‘FTHC’, Frank Turner this week debuted the latest track from the record, ‘Non Serviam’.
Check the song out above and pre-order the album here.
Watch Frank Turner on The Full Pelt Music Podcast ?
Nova Twins unveil ‘Antagonist’
Nova Twins – ‘Antagonist’
Nova Twins this week unveiled their latest track ‘Antagonist’, which you can check out above or here.
Finally this week we conclude our News Report with the latest single from Blood Red Shoes. You can check out ‘Morbid Fascination’ above ahead of the release of their new album ‘Ghosts On Tape’ which arrives January 14th!
We roundup the best music news from the past week!
Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:
Welcome to another edition of our weekly music News Report. We start this week with some festival news with events turning now to the 2022 festival season.
One of the biggest events in the UK, the iconic Isle Of Wight Festival has this week revealed the first acts set to grace the festival next year. Topping the bill will be Lewis Capaldi, Lionel Richie, Kasabian, Pete Tong and huge Sunday headliners Muse.
They’ll be joined by the likes of Blossoms, The Vaccines, Happy Mondays, Shaggy, The Proclaimers and The Coral.
This week also saw a stunning line-up announcement from 2000trees Festival as their 2022 edition takes shape. The event will be headlined by IDLES, Thrice and Jimmy Eat World!
They will be joined by The Amazons, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Young Guns, Royal Republic, Rolo Tomassi, Lonely The Brave, Crossfaith, Vukovi, Bob Vylan, Beans On Toast, Will Varley, Lauran Hibberd, Press To Meco, Haggard Cat and many more.
Last week Slam Dunk Festival announced the first acts that will play the event next summer. This week two huge shows were announced to take place on the same site in the days leading up to the festival.
Hitting Leeds and Hatfield in June will be You Me At Six as they celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their album ‘Sinners Never Sleep’. There will also be a supporting bill that will include The Hunna.
Next June will see Liam Gallagher return to Knebworth Park. The ex-Oasis icon will headline a venue close to his heart coinciding with the release of his new album ‘C’mon You Know’ on May 27th.
A huge support bill has been revealed with Kasabian, Michael Kiwanuka, Fat White Family and Goat Girl all set to join Gallagher.
We continue our News Report with some tour announcements. First is a run of three UK dates for Tool. The rarely seen band will be playing shows in Manchester, Birmingham and London in May 2022.
Also revealing a run of UK Arena dates for early summer next year is Billy Idol. Playing six dates in June he will be joined by The Go-Go’s for ‘The Roadside Tour’.
Our final tour announcement comes from Rolo Tomassi who will team up with Pupil Slicer for a February European Tour which will include four UK dates finishing up in London.
This week saw IDLES announce the release of their fourth studio album, ‘Crawler’ which will arrive November 12th. The first single from the album, ‘The Beachland Ballroom’, can be heard above!
Ghost are the masters of the mysterious, the epic, the macabre… the enthralling. Now, they are gearing up for their next chapter with the unveiling of their brand new single, ‘Hunter’s Moon’.
We close out our News Report this week with the ‘End Of The World’! After all that is the title of the new single from Fatherson and they also enter the next phase of their career.
The live music industry is built on togetherness, built on shared experience and built on the power of emotion. The last 18 months have been highly emotional for all the wrong reasons. Together the world has shared an experience that has terrified and devastated us.
The events of the last 18 months have taken an incomprehensible toll on humanity. The pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods. The live music industry was obliterated overnight. The people that make the spectacles that we enjoy happen were forgotten about.
While the world attempts to peek through the curtains at a “new normal”, the live music industry is left waiting. Waiting for support, waiting for proper guidance, waiting for a chance. Well, just four weeks ago that chance arrived.
A Government trial event to test the viability of the return of packed festivals and events you say? Spring into action the incredible people behind the scenes who make the live music industry work! In a short period of time, heaven and earth have been moved and here we are at Download Festival.
A much smaller, makeshift, Pilot version of Download Festival at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. 10,000 people in a field, no social distancing, no masks, no inhibitions.
Credit goes to all involved for creating an event of that scale on such short notice, and to all the acts playing with no preparation. As the gates open, one thing is for sure, the fans want this, no, the fans needs this.
The reality of the situation is that the organisers could have put an old man playing the spoons on stage and the fans would have lapped it up. The opportunity after all that everybody has been through to witness live music is cathartic.
The fact that this may be the most exciting Download Festival line-up of all time only helps to amplify the anticipation as fans gather in the tented second stage for Death Blooms. Almost every person on site crams in to witness that first taste of live music in far too long.
The band make the most of the atmosphere with a storming set that sees the audience let go of all remaining inhibitions. I doubt the majority of those in the tent knew of the band in advance, but they certainly left with a memory that will last forever.
For this special event there are just two stages. Next to the tent is the outdoor main stage which opens with a raucous set from Hot Milk. Kicking off with their latest single ‘I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead’ the band show the crowd just what they’ve been missing.
There is no need to worry about those dreaded clashes at Download Pilot Festival. That’s because the acts on the two stages alternate, allowing the music starved fans the opportunity to watch every single band if they so wish to.
Every band this weekend gets a good sized crowd and a warm reception with it, especially the early bands on Friday. Malevolence are next to grace the second stage and assist the audience in releasing their pent up energy with a heavy hitting set.
A repercussion of the pandemic has been the amazing new albums that have been released without the showcase of the live setting. One such album is ‘Glue’ from Boston Manor. That wrong is righted next however as the band storm the main stage and air the likes of ‘Everything Is Ordinary’.
An early standout performance from the band sees them mix new and old with ‘England’s Dreaming’, ‘Laika’ and ‘Halo’ eliciting some of the first full blown sing-a-long moments of the weekend.
Those sing-a-long moments continue with Holding Absence on the second stage as they get to unleash tracks from their sensational album ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’. ‘Afterlife’ in particular is a contender for song of the weekend as the band present their credentials for superstardom!
The Friday action continues with two bands with extremely dedicated fanbases. Neck Deep get the main stage bouncing before Sleep Token captivate the second stage.
It is then down to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes to bring the first day to a close on the main stage. Always an unstoppable force of nature on stage, the band make the most of the platform to make a statement. That statement says that this band is ready to headline the regular event.
With a setlist spanning their three albums, the band even treat fans to a selection of new tracks including the catchy ‘My Town’. There are guest appearances from Joe Talbot, Cassyette and Lynks, there is a giant circle pit around the sound tower and there is even a cover of ‘Ace of Spades’.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes saw an opportunity to headline a festival, to headline the first festival back, and they grabbed it with both hands. This was one of those sets that will be talked about forevermore!
After hours entertainment comes from a silent disco as the hastily arranged festival shows the skills and creativity of the music industry. You have to stand back and admire the achievement of those involved to create an event on this scale in the time given.
DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – SATURDAY
On to Saturday now and the musical delights continue as Lotus Eater, Conjurer, As Everything Unfolds and Bleed From Within blow the cobwebs of the early morning audience.
Next two young bands with big futures introduce themselves to festival audiences. Both The Hara on the second stage and Wargasm on the main stage elicit strong reactions from those watching.
After a solid showing from Tigercub, one of the veteran acts of the weekend, A, school the up and coming bands on how to engage an audience. An age appropriate walking circle pit being a nice change of pace in the midst of a hectic weekend. Finishing with ‘Nothing’, A show why they are the perfect festival band.
Two things become apparent as the weekend progresses. When dissecting the hastily put together line-up, the quality of British rock music is put in the spotlight and it more than holds its own. Secondly a good deal of that talent is female. Vukovi and Yonaka both deliver set of the weekend contenders next.
Those Damn Crows, Twin Atlantic and Stone Broken all put in crowd pleasing performances before While She Sleeps attract and entertain a huge crowd on the main stage.
Soon though it’s time for the scorecard for band of the weekend to be thrown out the window. Creeper are able to deliver an out of body experience as they headline the second stage. There are goosebump raising moments galore as the band turn the festival into their own theatre of oral and visual magnificence.
It is then left to Enter Shikari to bring the Saturday night party and they don’t disappoint. If there was ever a band born to get you moving it’s Enter Shikari. They do just that as they also get to showcase newer songs live for the first time.
‘satellites**’, ‘{ The Dreamer’s Hotel }’ and ‘THE GREAT UNKNOWN’ fit in perfectly with classics like ‘Sorry, You’re Not A Winner’, ‘Juggernauts’ and ‘Mothership’. Much like Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Creeper, you can see the special treatment Enter Shikari have given this opportunity and that makes for a stunning spectacle.
Come Sunday you’d imagine fatigue would be setting in. All this action after so many barren months, you could forgive the crowd for tiring and the festival atmosphere sapping. Instead energy is pumped in by bands such as Static Dress, Saint Agnes, Cassyette and Employed To Serve.
The fans reciprocate said energy as they continue to let loose to Chubby and the Gang, Loathe and Higher Power. The passion and pure joy of both fans and musicians to be at a festival is at times overwhelming. This event was destined to be an emotive affair but even through that emotion the quality of the music on offer shines.
Next on the main stage is Lonely The Brave complete with change in singer. A set mixed with fan favourites and new tracks from ‘The Hope List’ shows the band are still an exciting prospect. Can the band now finally take that next step? On their showing here, yes they can!
For those fans catching every band the pace is relentless and it’s to the second stage next for Jamie Lenman. Lenman powers through a sublime set that gets the crowd moving and features another appearance from Wargasm.
The quirky goodness of Elvana attracts a huge crowd to the main stage as the festival heads towards its climax. The band show just why they are perhaps the perfect Sunday afternoon festival act as they get the crowd singing along to every word.
Massive Wagons are able to take the second stage by storm before a sadly technically challenged The Wildhearts limp off stage. The Wildhearts are a top quality band and the issues with their sound perhaps show the effects of an enforced hiatus for musicians and crew members alike.
It’s on that note that once again praise must be heaped on the organisers, the crew members, the festival staff and yes the bands for making this event such a success. That is only amplified by the incredibly short timescale.
Realistically this has been a once in a lifetime event (we hope). Download Pilot Festival as an event is excellent and would be a great addition to the main Download Festival. It’s the atmosphere and camaraderie however that makes this festival so special.
We are down then to the final four bands, the final acts before reality is set to strike again. Up first on the second stage are Trash Boat who get the tent bouncing, especially with a stunning cover of Linkin Park classic ‘Given Up’.
If there is a perfect festival band it’s Skindred. Put them on any stage in any slot and they will attract a huge crowd. With a sub-headline slot on the main stage, the field is full as Benji Webbe and co put in a seamless lesson in crowd engagement.
The final act on the second stage is also no stranger to the festival scene. Although Frank Turner has played Download Festival in the past, even he acknowledges he may not be the typical Download act. Nobody cares though, as he puts in a typically euphoric performance.
The crowd are not just treated to the set staples but also to new song ‘The Gathering’ and heavier version of ‘Little Changes’. There are sing-a-longs aplenty as Turner does what he does best and that is entertain!
That just leaves Bullet For My Valentine to close out Download Pilot Festival. A festival which we wish was never needed but are so glad that it happened. Bullet For My Valentine are long time Download favourites and they deliver an apt conclusion to the event.
We are treated to a unique take on ‘Run To The Hills’ from Iron Maiden complete with a perplexing vocal contribution fron Benji Webbe. We get new material in the form of ‘Knives’ and of course we get favourites such as ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Tears Don’t Fall’.
‘Waking The Demon’ is the final song to ring around Donington Park, and we can only hope and pray that this event can wake the demon that is the festival scene. The fans may have been lab rats, but what a stunning lab it was! Thank you Download Pilot Festival for such a cathartic weekend.
Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:
It has been announced that Download Festival will take place this year after all. That’s right rockers will grace the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, but just the 10,000 of them. The pilot event will test the viability of music festivals this summer – not much riding on it then!!
Attendees will be able to mosh freely inside the event, but will need to take negative tests prior to and after the festival. Tickets will be available here.
Headline acts for the event will be Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine. They will be joined by the likes of Boston Manor, Holding Absence, Hot Milk, Creeper, Stone Broken, Twin Atlantic, Yonaka, A, Wargasm, Frank Turner, Skindred, The Wildhearts, Massive Wagons and Lonely The Brave!
Following a lengthy delay in announcing their line-up, Latitude Festival is finally on track to go ahead. This week organisers revealed the festival will be headlined by the likes of Wolf Alice, The Chemical Brothers, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club, Rudimental and Bill Bailey.
Also on tap are acts such as Kaiser Chiefs, Fontaines D.C., Dream Wife, Shame, Squid, Willie J Healey and Tim Burgess. There will also be lots more from the worlds of comedy, arts and literature.
Arboretum Sunsets is set to grace Nottingham Arboretum this summer. Last year our Gig of the Year saw Frank Turner grace the Arboretum and this year will see live music return to the park.
The line-up of shows includes Beans On Toast, Ferocious Dog, Grace Petrie, Lucy Spraggan, The Futureheads, Turin Breaks and many more.
A little tour news now as we continue our News Report. Bowling For Soup have added some extra shows to their tour with Lit and The Dollyrots. The seaside tour will now head inland to Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Kasabian have announced their return to action with an intimate tour of the UK. The lengthy run will finish up at Brixton Academy in November. Tickets will be available here.
The Virginmarys set for the road
The Virginmarys will be hitting the road later this year for their first shows since confirming their intentions to continue as a two-piece going forward.
After some typical Creeper teasing the band has this week released a new single, ‘Midnight’. More than that though, the band has also announced a brand new EP! ‘American Noir’ will arrive July 30th and you can pre-order your copy here.
When Cambridgeâs Lonely The Brave announced the departure of singer David Jakes in March 2018 you couldâve been forgiven for thinking the end was nigh. Thankfully that couldnât be further from the truth and now the band is back with their third album â âThe Hope Listâ.
With Jack Bennett AKA Grumble Bee now at the vocal helm, âThe Hope Listâ well and truly evidences that Lonely The Brave have plenty left in the tank. Thankfully there is no grand departure from their previous sound for the band. This album is just as full of soaring and ambitious anthems as its predecessors.
The album dives straight in with âBoundâ, âDistant Lightâ and âBright Eyesâ to lay bare that this is still the Lonely The Brave that we fell in love with on âThe Dayâs Warâ and âThings Will Matterâ. âThe Hope Listâ adds to the bands impressive repertoire and promises growth with this new line-up.
Lonely The Brave – ‘Bound’
Fears that the loss of Jakes unique talents would have too detrimental effect on the bandâs sound are very quickly dispelled. Much like the material, Bennett is also just as gifted as his predecessor. Â
Bennett handles the thunderous moments just as eloquently as the tender ones and whilst providing an evolution of the tone that made this band so special, also ensures that its identity remains.
The power of this album doesnât just lie with Bennett of course and the rest of the band have summoned even more power and majesty then before. The music is sweeping and uplifting with âKeeperâ perhaps the perfect encapsulation of a band realising just how grand they can be.
We roundup the best music news from the past week!
Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:
There isn’t long left to wait for the 10th album from Foo Fighters to arrive on 5th February. This week the legendary Dave Grohl celebrated his birthday in style by debuting the third track from ‘Medicine At Midnight’.
‘Waiting On A War’ follows the releases of ‘Shame Shame’ and ‘No Son Of Mine’ and gives a further glimpse of what fans can expect from the new album.
Fans wanting to pre-order the album can do so here.
It has been an eventful week for Holding Absence as they prepare to release their new album ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ on 16th April. First the band unveiled their stunning new single ‘Afterlife’ before announcing the departure of bassist James Joseph.
We can’t wait for ‘The Hope List’, the new album from Lonely The Brave coming next week on 22nd January! To whet the appetite even further the band have unveiled a short look behind the scenes in a new video for ‘Keeper’.
Former Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls drummer Nigel Powell’s The Sad Song Co has release their new single ‘My Saccharine’. They will be releasing their album ‘Saudade’ next week on 22nd January.
Bearded Theory moves to September and announces Placebo!
Placebo to headline Bearded Theory
Bearded Theory festival have announced plans to move the festival to September in the hope that it will be safe to do so by then. Moving from May the event with now take place across 9, 10, 11 and 12 September.
The festival have also announced that Placebo will be joining the line-up, with full details to be revealed at a later date.
